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: Aozora (Japan Version) aiko

Bright yet blue
February 28, 2020 Picked By Sanwei See all this editor's picks
Just based on the title and visuals of aiko's single Aozora, one would probably expect it to be a bright and sunny song fitting of its lovely "Blue Sky." The song's melody, as well, is light in rhythm and tone with a soothingly refreshing arrangement that creates a chipper feeling. However, the singer-songwriter's lyrics tell a different story about looking back with mixed feelings on a love that has ended – that blue sky is distorted and invisible before teary, unfocused eyes. Rather than being bright and blue, Aozora is bright yet blue. The single's new B-side, Koibito Doshi ni (Track 3), is also a light-sounding confection of love and worries, but it reaches a more rose-tinted... [read more]

: Kanashiki Pro Bowler (Normal Edition) (Japan Version) Kuwata Keisuke | Kuwata Keisuke & The Pin Boys

Take me out to the bowling alley
February 13, 2020 Picked By Sanwei See all this editor's picks
In 2019, Kuwata Keisuke took his love for bowling to a new level by putting his name and face on a national bowling tournament, the Kuwata Cup. Bowling aside, the legendary artist also formed the special new unit Kuwata Keisuke & The Pin Boys to release Kuwata Cup 2019's official song Let's Go Bowling, which is basically an entire song dedicated to the virtues of bowling. A year later, the Kuwata Cup is back, and so are Kuwata Keisuke & The Pin Boys! While Let's Go Bowling is a fun jingle, it's impossible to take a song too seriously when it opens with the lines "I like bowling, I like bowling." Kuwata Keisuke & The Pin Boys' wonderful second single, however, is far more than a novelty... [read more]

: Bessekai (SINGLE+DVD) (Japan Version) E-girls

E-girls' first single of their final year
January 31, 2020 Picked By Sanwei See all this editor's picks
E-girls broke fan hearts last December with the announcement that the group would be disbanding in 2020 (why, LDH, why?). As if to drive in just what J-pop will be missing out on, E-girls' first single of their final year is a total jam. Bessekai ("Another World") embodies the sound that E-girls does best: edgy, contemporary yet fun electro dance numbers with a finger on the urban pulse. The song's intricate and invigorating electronic beats stand out energetically, and there is an understated fierceness to its buildup and catchy chorus that really rouses the spirits of the listener. Bessekai is composed by Henrik Nordenback, Christian Fast and Ellen Berg, the same team behind 2017's Love... [read more]

: Weathering With You complete version (Normal Edition) (Japan Version) RADWIMPS

Weathering with Radwimps
November 29, 2019 Picked By Sanwei See all this editor's picks
From Your Name to Weathering with You, Radwimps' music has been an integral and memorable element of Shinkai Makoto's animated blockbusters. The band's alternative rock numbers add a pop of energy to the youth fantasy stories while the ballads accentuate the heartrending emotions of love and loss. Weathering with You's original soundtrack was released back in July along with the film's theatrical release. However, the soundtrack carried the shorter movie edit versions of the vocal songs. Arriving five months later, Weathering with You complete version brings the full versions of the five songs. This complete version is obviously appealing for those who enjoyed the music while watching... [read more]

: Itsumono Fuukei (First Press Limited Edition) (Japan Version) Saito Kazuyoshi

Saito Kazuyoshi x Chibi Maruko-chan
November 21, 2019 Picked By Sanwei See all this editor's picks
Saito Kazuyoshi and Chibi Maruko-chan is the collaboration I didn't know I needed! The singer-songwriter brings smiles to faces with Itsumo no Fuukei, the 12th ending theme of the iconic anime series. This delightfully upbeat and folksy rock ditty lifts spirits with plucky beats and a jovial rhythm. Notably, the lyrics about a town's everyday scenery are by late Chibi Maruko-chan creator Momoko Sakura, who especially had Saito in mind when she wrote the song. Saito's light melody and whimsical, energizing arrangement really suit the lyrics and the timeless everyday charm of the anime series. The single's side tracks build on the wistful, nostalgic feel with two slower and melancholic guitar... [read more]

: ECHO [Type A] (SINGLE+DVD) (First Press Limited Edition) (Japan Version) Little Glee Monster

Little Glee Monster on fire
September 30, 2019 Picked By Sanwei See all this editor's picks
As the host country of the Rugby World Cup 2019, Japan pulled off a major upset victory over powerhouse Ireland this past weekend. Now I'm no rugby fan, but I am a big fan of NHK's theme song for the World Cup – Little Glee Monster's ECHO. A sporting event support song should rouse up the fighting spirit of the listener, and ECHO does exactly that from the very first note. Written and composed by Imai Ryosuke, the song begins straight away with cheering and clapping that gets you fired up. The first verse rings loud and clear with poignant lyrics remembering the shared experience of sweat and tears: "The moment when our eyes meet, there's no need to exchange words / our heart's beating... [read more]

: Summer Trap!! (Japan Version) WANIMA

Summer spirit
July 23, 2019 Picked By Sanwei See all this editor's picks
Summer just doesn't feel right without some energizing driving rock songs to blast at full volume, and Wanima has come through with exactly that in their summer EP. The band broke out last year with their loud and exuberant blend of pop punk, ska, reggae and rock. Now they add an exclamation point to summer with Summer Trap!! The album's lead track Natsu no Dokoka e (Track 1) lifts spirits right away with a flurry of drum beats and guitar riffs. The punk pop ditty never takes a rest over its screamy and infectiously uptempo four-minute anthem to summer. It's no wonder the song was used for a Mitsuya Cider commercial because it nails the positive, refreshing and slightly wistful vibe of... [read more]

: VOICE (Normal Edition) (Japan Version) Tae Yeon (Girls' Generation)

In love with Tae Yeon's Voice
June 13, 2019 Picked By Sanwei See all this editor's picks
Twelve years into her career, Tae Yeon finally makes her Japan solo debut, and what's more, it's with an original album! While the album title Voice seems to hark back to her 2017 Korean album My Voice, the album's tracks are new, not remakes. Though it's her first Japanese album, Voice actually has a primarily Western pop sound, and a quick glance at the credits shows American, British and Swedish composers and producers across the board. The album's title track Voice (Track 1) is co-composed and produced by Matthew Tishler, a frequent SM collaborator whose credits include Tae Yeon's Make Me Love You and Rain. I fell in love with the song basically from the first line of "All the voices in... [read more]

: Ichirinsou (SINGLE+DVD) (First Press Limited Edition) (Japan Version) Yamamoto Sayaka

Yamamoto Sayaka, Solo Artist
April 27, 2019 Picked By Sanwei See all this editor's picks
In Yamamoto Sayaka's eight years with NMB48, she was not only one of the most popular members of the AKB48 Group, but also one of the very few to be known for her vocal and musical talents. As an NMB48 member, she released two solid solo albums, with 2017's identity in particular standing out as my favorite 48 member solo album to date. After graduating from NMB48 in October 2018, Sayaka begins her solo artist career with the self-penned single Ichirinsou, which builds on the musicality she showed in identity. Sayaka wrote and composed the mellow, medium-tempo ballad Ichirinsou. The title and lyrics refer to an anemone flower that becomes a symbol of strength and inspiration. While walking... [read more]

: Kuroi Hitsuji [Type A] (SINGLE+BLU-RAY) (Japan Version) Keyakizaka46

Song of the Black Sheep
February 28, 2019 Picked By Sanwei See all this editor's picks
Keyakizaka46 delivers another powerfully empathetic and dissonant teen anthem in their new single Kuroi Hitsuji. As indicated by the title, this song is for all the "black sheep" out there. In comparison to singles like Garasu wo Ware! and Fukyouwaon, the song's sound is softer and more melodic, but the themes are no less incisive and impactful. Kuroi Hitsuji opens moodily with somber piano chords, and then picks up the tempo in low-pitched verses tightly packed with the suffocating feelings of being that person who doesn't fit in – and doesn't want to. The lyrics offer simple yet specific examples and experiences that connect readily with listeners: taking the long way home to avoid... [read more]

: Boku no Koto (SINGLE+DVD) (First Press Limited Edition) (Japan Version) Mrs. GREEN APPLE

A song for the good days and the bad days
January 31, 2019 Picked By Sanwei See all this editor's picks
Everyone could use an encouraging song to start out the new year with, and my theme song for this tiring January was Mrs. GREEN APPLE's Boku no Koto. As a support song for Japan's national high school soccer tournament, Boku no Koto naturally carries an inspiring message to cheer on young people, but it's not exactly a cheerily positive song. Instead, the song delivers empathy and reassurance for both the good days and the bad days. Opening quietly with a soothing guitar melody and gentle vocals, Boku no Koto connects with softly self-reflecting lyrics in the first verse: "What's the difference between me and you? / I know that we're all living creatures / But I'm frightened by something."... [read more]

: Mirai no Theme / Uta no Kisha (First Press Limited Edition) (Japan Version) Yamashita Tatsuro

Music from Mirai, Sounds from the Past
September 6, 2018 Picked By Sanwei See all this editor's picks
When I first heard Yamashita Tatsuro's latest single, I smiled at the singer-songwriter's timeless ability to write new songs that sound like old songs. At the time, I had not yet watched Hosoda Mamoru's animated feature film Mirai for which the songs were made. After watching Mirai, I now smile at the songs for capturing the sentiments of the film so perfectly in melody form. Yamashita previously created the beautiful theme song Bokura no Natsu no Yume for Hosoda's 2009 film Summer Wars (an acoustic live version of that song is included on this single). For Mirai, he made the theme song Mirai no Theme ("Theme of Mirai") and ending theme Uta no Kisha ("Music Train"), which are delightful... [read more]

: Ryuusei / Yakusoku (SINGLE+DVD) (First Press Limited Edition) (Japan Version) Aoi Eir

Aoi Eir makes strong return from hiatus
June 14, 2018 Picked By Sanwei See all this editor's picks
After being on hiatus for all of 2017 for health reasons, Aoi Eir returns this year with her signature clear-voiced rock-flavored pop in her 14th double A-side single of Yakusoku and Ryuusei. Yakusoku ("Promise") was unveiled online in February to announce her return. Aoi co-wrote the soaring medium-tempo ballad with frequent collaborator Shigenaga Ryosuke, who also composed and arranged. From the first line, one can already tell that she poured her feelings during hiatus into the lyrics: "In the normalcy of daily life / I suddenly realized that I was singing." Aoi directs the song's simple and sincere message of longing and gratitude to the fans who waited for her and gave her strength to... [read more]

: If - Mata Aetara - (SINGLE+ DVD) (First Press Limited Edition) (Japan Version) DAY6

DAY6's Japanese debut
March 28, 2018 Picked By Sanwei See all this editor's picks
When Korean idols advance into the Japanese music market, they almost always start out by remaking Korean hits. This is understandably the safest route as it requires less investment and leverages songs that are already familiar to Japanese K-pop fans. The notable exception to this standard remake strategy is JYP Entertainment. Both 2PM and GOT7 debuted in Japan with original singles, and Twice's first Japanese single was an original song. Following in the footsteps of their labelmates, DAY6 debuts in Japan with the original single If -Mata Aetara-. As one of the few (instrument-playing) bands in the K-pop idol industry, DAY6 has consistently put out quality self-produced music since... [read more]

: Doushite Koishite Konna (SINGLE+DVD) (Japan Version) Uno Misako

Uno Misako's refreshing solo debut
February 20, 2018 Picked By Sanwei See all this editor's picks
In the past several years, quite a few of the AAA members have branched out to solo music careers, with Nishijima Takahiro (Nissy) and Hidaka Mitsuhiro (Sky-Hi) being especially active as solo artists. Uno Misako now joins the solo ranks with her first official single Doushite Koishite Konna ("Why is Love Like This?"). Doushite Koishite Konna contrasts sweet melody and singing with Uno's self-penned melancholic lyrics about love and separation. The medium-tempo song is co-composed by Koudai Iwatsubo and Jazzin'park's Kubota Shingo, who also participated on Nissy's recent solo album Hocus Pocus2. The song's mellow arrangement brings a soul-freeing atmosphere to the song, particularly in the... [read more]

: PROJECT-1 EP [Type Red] (SINGLE+DVD) (Japan Version) Block B | Block B PROJECT-1

Block B's vocalists shine in Japan collaboration project
September 22, 2017 Picked By Sanwei See all this editor's picks
Block B often seems to live or die around Zico, but the other members are also talented in their own right. Through Block B Project-1 in Japan, Tae Il, B-Bomb, Jae Hyo, U-Kwon and P.O get the chance to shine in a different setting through original collaborations with other artists. U-Kwon and P.O duly carry forth the mantle of Block B's hip-hop sound in WINNER, a hot-blooded track with bombastic beats and a catchy hook. No one would accuse the self-hyping hip-hop bop of being deep and meaningful, but it's the kind of high-spirited musical bragging that's great for blasting at top volume. Though the song's composition and arrangement are on-trend to the point of being too familiar sounding,... [read more]

: Yume Makase (Japan Version) SOIL & "PIMP" SESSIONS

Detective jazz
August 24, 2017 Picked By Sanwei See all this editor's picks
This season, TBS is airing the quirky detective drama Hello Harinezumi, based on the eighties manga about a scrappy private investigator agency. The series' writer/director One Hitoshi has a great track record with music in past productions like Moteki and the 2014 detective drama River's Edge Ookawabata Tanteisha, and Hello Harinezumi is no exception. For River's Edge, it was Ego-Wrappin' that supplied the detective jazz sound. This time, it's jazz ensemble Soil & "Pimp" Sessions that created the outstanding music for the entire Hello Harinezumi soundtrack. The band collaborates with Radwimps' Noda Yojiro for the series' suave and classy theme song Yume Makase. The laid-back jazz number... [read more]

: Love ☆ Queen (SINGLE + DVD + PHOTOBOOK) (First Press Limited Edition) (Japan Version) E-girls

The new-look E-girls
July 31, 2017 Picked By Sanwei See all this editor's picks
When LDH launched E-girls in 2011, the group was meant to be an entertainment project that gathered the members of Dream, Happiness and Flower. In actuality, over the last six years, this project group in name was more well-known and active than the official groups from which it drew members. In June, LDH restructured the organization chart of its girl groups by creating the new project collective of E.G.family and redesignating E-girls as a group under that umbrella. Besides the reshuffling, the E-girls member lineup was slimmed down to 11 with the exit of eight members including Ami. Less than two months since the announcement of the new changes, the 11-member E-girls start afresh with... [read more]

: Peace Sign [Peace Ver.] (SINGLE+DVD) (First Press Limited Edition) (Japan Version) Yonezu Kenshi

Yonezu Kenshi's 2nd consecutive anime theme
June 30, 2017 Picked By Sanwei See all this editor's picks
First finding popularity as a Vocaloid composer, Yonezu Kenshi has successfully elevated his music from Niconico to the mainstream thanks to his eminently listenable rock pop sound and some well-positioned tie-in collaborations. After scoring a hit earlier in the year with the March Comes in Like a Lion theme song Orion, the talented singer-songwriter climbs the chart again with another anime theme song single in Peace Sign, the exhilarating first opening for the second season of My Hero Academia. Written, composed and arranged by Yonezu, Peace Sign coasts on an uptempo melody and tight beats that quickly establish a free-wheeling feeling of exuberance and energy. The electric guitar-driven... [read more]

: Togetsukyo - Kimi Omou - (SINGLE+DVD) (First Press Limited Edition) (Japan Version) Kuraki Mai

Crimson love song
April 21, 2017 Picked By Sanwei See all this editor's picks
Kuraki Mai's two most recent singles – Togetsukyo -Kimi Omou- and Yesterday Love – are both theme songs for the Detective Conan anime franchise, but they couldn't be more different. While Yesterday Love, released in January, is a dated-sounding electronic pop song straight out of the nineties vault, her latest Togetsukyo -Kimi Omou- goes back even further in time to incorporate traditional Japanese music elements into a melodic and melancholic ballad. Aligning with the Kansai autumn setting of the movie Detective Conan: Crimson Love Letter for which the single serves as theme song, Kuraki penned a wistful love song that evokes the imagery of crimson leaves. The title and lyrics refer to the... [read more]

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